Dear Northern Families,
A fantastic start to the year. The building is absolutely buzzing with energy this week. While it was a tough start with classroom temperatures being uncomfortably high, everyone persevered through the heatwave. Timetables continue to be adjusted as quickly as possible (see guidance details below)- thank you to everyone for your patience with this process.
Attendance: Being on time and present for class is essential for academic success. The attendance procedure is outlined on the school website and can be seen below: If a student is absent from school, the parent or guardian must call the VP office before 8:50 a.m. with the student name and reason for the absence or to notify the office that the student will be signing out. Call (416) 393-0270 and use the appropriate extension:
Last Name Begins with:
A-G 20003
H-O 20008
P-Z 20007
General Mailbox: 20000
After an unexplained absence, students must bring a note of explanation signed and dated by their parent or guardian to the VP office for entry on the computer; the student will then present the note to his/her teachers. Students who are 18 years of age or older may write their own notes. Alternatively, parents have the option of reporting a student absence via e-mail at northern@tdsb.on.ca. Please note that emails to vice-principals regarding attendance will not be entered in a timely manner (will not be entered before the absence is recorded).
Did you miss photo day last week and Tuesday? Not to worry- the photographer will be back October 16th to capture missing students/ photos.
Locker Access: Students have been assigned a locker. To gain access a Hall Monitor will be available on each floor from 8:10 – 8:45 am to cut the zip tie/remove the bolt from Friday September 8 – Friday September 15.
Student Pick-Up and Drop-Off: We are aware our location is very congested with traffic and finding an area for dropping off/picking up your child before and after school can be challenging. During these times we have a significant number of students who rely on Student Buses to drop them off and pick them off as well. We would appreciate it if you could avoid the south side of the school (Roehampton) to ensure the buses can access our designated drop-off and pick-up location. The street behind the Field (Rawlinson Ave) would be ideal for improving the congestion on Roehampton as well as offering a safe point to pick-up and drop off.
If you have not done so, please submit your Student Activity Fees of $60.00- this includes your yearbook (cash, cheque, or School Cash Online which is open from now through October 7th. Instructions can be found ), distribute timetables, sell locks for anyone wanting one ($8), student photos, and creating student ID’s. Student Activity Fees cover the yearbook, and help to fund many student activities. We have a strong student government that works to distribute these funds to applicants (student groups/ teams/ clubs) throughout the year. Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone that has already submitted- it makes a huge difference!
Books Owing from last year? Please bring them to the VP office!
Start of Year Permission Forms -the issues that the board was having with these forms has now been resolved. Please look for an email from “TDSB online form” and complete the links as soon as possible. We appreciate your prompt attention to this!
New to Northern and in grades 10-12? We look forward to welcoming you at our New Student Luncheon on Wednesday September 14th. We will be located in Room 105 during the lunch hour. Lunch will be served!
The student calendar can be found HERE . There will be additions coming in the future. These will be highlighted for 2 weeks within the calendar and then simply appear as regular text after that.
- student agenda can be found here: AGENDA se are both links to the school website where tons of useful information can be found.
Electronics / Valuables - Unfortunately the school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Please encourage your child to leave their valuables at home.
School Expectations – During the first week of school we will be reviewing school expectations with students. On Wednesday the 13th and Thursday the 14th we will reinforce these expectations via student assemblies.
Upcoming Week:
- Wednesday- Opening Assemblies (Assembly Schedule)
- Wednesday- New Grade 10-12 Student lunch in staffroom.
- Thursday- Opening Assemblies (Assembly Schedule)
- Friday- Lunch: Grade 9 Welcome BBQ with SAC and Buddies
Special Education:
Individual SEA Claims are available for collection in the Academic Resource Centre in rm 112.
Music:
Are you interested in musical extracurriculars? If so, come to our general music info meeting on Tuesday September 12th at lunch in room 227. Everyone is welcome regardless of musical experience! See you there! Details on programming can be found HERE.
Come to the General Drama Meeting! Poster HERE
Why: To learn more about extracurricular drama
Sign up to audition for Mainstage
Join a crew:
Lights, Sound, Props, Costumes, Paint, Set, Producing, Photography
Apply to be part of Stage Crew
Sign up to get on the mailing list for the Chicago trip
When: Thursday, September 14 @ 3:20
Where: Drama Studio 225
Everyone’s welcome! Hope to see you there ????
Student Success:
Student Nutrition Program starting September 19th in our cafeteria!
Lunch is offered on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:40-12pm in our cafeteria for those in need of access to healthy food. To sign up, please have your child complete this form.
We are currently looking for volunteers from our parent community to help our student leaders prepare food. If you are interested in getting involved, please complete this form: Parent Volunteers Student Nutrition Program
More about our programming: One in every four children in Toronto lives in poverty and 40% of all children come to school hungry. At Northern, we believe that when you have enough healthy food to eat, you feel energized, can concentrate in class and perform well in school. Our program is funded by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success and supported by our school and community to deliver healthy and nutritious food to you. Any questions regarding student success can be directed to april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca
Peer Tutoring:
Peer Tutoring will be available to all Northern students in almost every subject. Students will be able to sign up to receive a tutor later this month so stay tuned!
Special High Skills Major (SHSM):
We offer three SHSM programs:
- Design, Engineering and Manufacturing (DEM)
- Arts & Culture
- Health & Wellness
Please find more information on each program here
If your child is interested in signing up, please encourage them to complete the application form found on the Student Success site here.
All forms and questions can be directed to april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca
Have a Concern?
Please familiarize yourself with the Parent Concern Protocol this document outlines the process to raise concerns at the school. If you have general inquiries, please reach out to the appropriate Vice-Principal by alphabetical last name. Emails to the principal will generally be forwarded directly to the appropriate vice-principal by (alphabetical last name).
Vice Principals for your Reference: it is essential that questions/ concerns
Surnames A to G: Mr. Kenn Harvey 416-393-0284 ext. 20013 (kenn.harvey@tdsb.on.ca)
Surnames H to O: Ms. Jessica Pearson 416-393-0284 ext. 20012 (jessica.pearson@tdsb.on.ca)
Surnames P to Z: Ms. Tiffany Peel 416-393-0284 ext. 20011 (tiffany.peel@tdsb.on.ca)
Job Opportunity:
The Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative program is currently hiring for the 2024 Winter/Spring After-School program! I wanted to reach out to see if you would be willing to share this opportunity with the communities in your Ward.
This program enhances the link between the police and the neighbourhoods we serve. This initiative gives young people an opportunity to develop job skills while fostering positive partnerships with the Toronto Police Service.
Youth ages 15 to 18 who reside in the city of Toronto are employed through the summer and throughout the year, working alongside police officers and civilian staff in a wide range of roles. The program is not unique to Toronto, as it was created and funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and is now used throughout the province.
Our applications close on September 30th, 2023.
See below for the direct link.
Job Posting: Careers (torontopolice.on.ca)
Social Media: TPS_YouthInPolicing | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
School Council Update:
1) Join the list! School Council sends emails with news from within and beyond Northern to help you support your student's academic success. If you would like to be included on our mailing list to receive news "for parents, by parents", please send an email to nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line, “Count me in”.
2) Reminder that our first council meeting of the year is Thursday Sept 21st in the Northern Library or on Zoom. Mark your calendars and keep and eye open for further information in next Friday's bulletin
3) Welcome new and returning gifted families!
The Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC) would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning families of gifted students. GAC aims to connect and support families of gifted students during their time at Northern. To join our mailing list, please sign up here (note that this is a new list started in February 2023). Details of our welcome-back social coming soon.
4) We need your help! In lieu of ongoing fundraising, we request voluntary contributions once in the fall for all our initiatives to support students throughout the year (clubs, athletics, wellness, conferences, workshops, advocacy, subsidies and much more). Watch for upcoming details on our annual fundraiser, and please consider a contribution through School Cash Online. Every gift makes a difference!
Northern Secondary School Foundation
The Northern Community comes together to enrich the educational experience of our students
The 4th Northern Secondary School Foundation Online Auction
Go to https://can.givergy.com/NSSF2023 to view the items and register to bid.
Gift Certificates to local stores and restaurants, fine art and pottery, design consultations, tickets to sports events, sports memorabilia, waterskiing lessons, overnight at Deerhurst, family skiing at Craighleith.70+ items in total.
All proceeds to scholarships and grants to student led enrichment activities.
Thanks to our alumni, parents, former staff and local merchants who have donated items.
Stay tuned for more information!
Guidance Updates:
- Students! Sign-up for your Guidance Google Classroom:
Stay informed! Get all in info! Join your student Guidance Google classroom!
Sign-up for your Student Guidance Google Classroom:
Grade 9 Google Classroom code: x6sh4ue
Grade 10 Google Classroom code: 4ixv2jl
Grade 11 Google Classroom code: kmv6fcz
Grade 12 Google Classroom code: twdxca6
- Timetable Change Requests: Thank you for your patience as we work through the requests. We will be connecting with students Sept 5 – Sept 15, 2022.
- TDSB Day School E-Learning Registration
Day School e-Learning Semester 1 courses are open for registration until 4pm on
September 23, 2022.
Semester 1, 2023/24 e-Learning Day School Registration will open tentatively on Wednesday, September 6, at 10:00am. Semester 1 registration will close on Friday, September 22, 2023; however, many courses will likely fill up well before this date. Please note that courses are subject to change based on enrolment.
Grade 11 and 12 students are eligible to apply for an e-Learning Day School Semester 1 course if they have a spare in their semester 1 timetable.
Click the link here for more information.
- TDSB Sem 1 Night School Registration - Full Credit and Credit Recovery
School Registration Semester 1: OPENS Sept 6, 2023 @ 10 am
Deadline to Enrol: September 29 @10am
Continuing Education Night School Courses are being offered both as in-person and remote delivery this year. See here for course offerings.
Click here for more information. See your Guidance Counsellor for more information.
- *** New 2023-2024 Guidance Alphas: by Student Last Name
A, F, P, T: Kristen Beach
B-E, I: Semester 1: Jenny Sohn, Semester 2: Leslie Usin-Rojas
G, H, K, L: Jennifer MacPhee
J, M – R: Sean Magee-Saxton
S, U-Z: Melanie Stassis
Click here for Counsellor contact info.
Have a great weekend,
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS